Why Do I Need to Contact an Attorney After an Accident?

There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney after a motor vehicle accident. They can help you preserve your legal rights, serve as a liaison with the insurance company, negotiate a more favorable settlement, or file a lawsuit on your behalf. Many people only do this research in the aftermath of an accident.

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However, it’s best to be prepared in advance because people often make mistakes in the immediate aftermath of a crash– which can jeopardize their capacity to recover compensation later. The guidance of our New York City car accident lawyers can help you avoid this common problem.

To preserve your legal rights after a crash

The time after a car accident is typically chaotic. You’ll need to speak with the police and the other driver, document the crash and call the insurance company. It can be hard to know what to say and what not to say, which is why it’s important to call a personal injury lawyer right away. They can advise you of your legal rights and offer invaluable guidance that can preserve your ability to file a lawsuit.

To establish legal liability

Another reason why it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer after an accident is to establish liability. The legal concept of this refers to which party is at fault. An attorney has experience sifting through the physical evidence and witness statements to compile the required proof. Establishing that the other driver was at fault—and that you weren’t—is essential for getting just reimbursement from their insurance carrier.

In addition, it’s important to note that evidence tends to degrade quickly after an accident. Witnesses forget essential details, for example. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner they can get to work investigating the case on your behalf.

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To act as a liaison with the insurance company

Not everyone needs to or wants to file a lawsuit after an accident. After all, car insurance is supposed to take care of the losses. Unfortunately, it isn’t in an insurance carrier’s best interest to offer a fair and just settlement. They will nearly always try to deny coverage or offer less than what the driver deserves because the company needs to make a profit. For the average driver who lacks in-depth knowledge of how this works, it can be almost impossible to fairly negotiate this.

Furthermore, an attorney can serve as a liaison on your behalf. They can speak directly with the insurance carrier to dispute any claims that you were at fault and to ensure that you get every penny you’re entitled to receive.

To file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf

If the insurance carrier still refuses to offer a just settlement, or if you have suffered catastrophic, disfiguring, or permanent injuries, it may be time to think about filing a lawsuit. Your personal injury lawyer can advise you as to the merits of filing a lawsuit and explain what to expect from the process. They will also represent you in court or conduct settlement negotiations on your behalf.

Contact an experienced car accident lawyer in New York

At Douglas & London, we believe in providing personalized guidance to our clients. Our team of New York City personal injury lawyers have a successful track record of securing significant jury awards and settlements for our injured clients. We offer a free consultation to determine whether you could have the basis to file a personal injury lawsuit. You can get in touch with a New York car accident lawyer by calling our firm today.